-- THE ARCHIVE --

AUSTRALIA
Judicial CP - January 1956

The Advertiser, Adelaide, 7 January 1956

Fathers To Punish Boys

Two 16-year-old youths, who admitted having caused
damage estimated at £70 to a car were ordered in the Adelaide
Juvenile Court yesterday to undergo "reasonable" punishment, to be administered by their parents in the presence of a detective.

Mr. R.F. Newman, SM, who referred to a "plethora of idiotic conduct" coming before the court, also made what is
believed to be the first order of its kind in the Juvenile Court,
releasing the names of the defendants for publication.

The order was made on the application of Assistant Police
Prosecutor Huffa, who said too many young offenders thought they
could hide under the anonymity normally given to defendants under
18.

The youths, Robert Walter Charles Hill, of
Burbridge street, Brooklyn Park and Dean Stuart White, of
South terrace, Thebarton, admitted two charges of having
unlawfully used cars on December 20 in addition to the wilful
damage charge.

White also admitted having broken into a shop at Windsor
Gardens on December 13 and stolen cigarettes worth £8.12/4 and
3/- in cash.

Report To Court

All the charges were adjourned until next Friday, to enable a
report to be made to the court on the punishment which White's
father and Hill's stepfather had agreed to administer.

APP Huffa said the youths had taken an unlocked car, owned by
Enrico Cosimo Pezzaniti, from Brooklyn Park and driven it to
Gawler where they had abandoned it.

They had then taken another unlocked car, owned by
Colin Robert Bain, and returned to the city.

Describing the damage to Pezzaniti's car, APP Huffa said the
defendants had slashed the seat covers and upholstery and torn
off the sun visors with a sheath knife.

They had also damaged the hood lining, the body, two doors,
lights and rear vision mirror.

Churchgoer

White's father said his son was a regular churchgoer but had
associated with other young people at a milk bar.

The boy's mother had believed for some time that a hiding
would do him good.

Mr. K.V. Kerin appeared for Hill, whom [sic], APP
Huffa said, had been released on a bond last May, after admitting
a shopbreaking charge.

Truth, Adelaide, 14 January 1956

Boy Is Sorry Now

Thrashing By Father After Court Order

(extracts)

A 16-YEARS-OLD delinquent boy who was thrashed by his
father this week under a court order told Truth afterwards that
he was heartily sorry for his offences.

He said: "It hurt. I got six strokes on the behind with a
length of wood two inches wide. Another stroke and I would have
fainted. I had to have a compress applied later."

THE boy is Robert Walter Charles Hill of Burbridge Street,
Brooklyn Park, who with another 16-years-old, Dean Stuart White,
of South Terrace, Thebarton, had admitted in Adelaide Juvenile
Court a few days before to unlawfully using cars and causing
wilful damage of £70 to a car.

Mr. Newman S.M. then made Juvenile Court history by releasing the names of the boys for publication. He also took the rare step of ordering corporal chastisement by their parents in
the presence of a detective.

Mr. Newman ordered this punishment after a plea by Assistant
Police Prosecutor G.H. Huffa, who pointed out that it would be a
suitable case for the magistrate to exercise the powers he has
under section 12 of the Juvenile Courts Act.

"Heartbroken"

Robert Hill's mother told Truth she had seen her son punished.

"It was awful and I am heartbroken but knowing how much
it has affected Robert, his stepfather and myself are willing to
take it," she said.

"I think that the publicity and means of
punishment was a progressive move by the magistrate. Robert will
never do wrong again.

"Boys who realise that their offence will bring just as
severe punishment to their parents may stop and think before they
step out of line."

'Won't Happen Again'

Robert told Truth: "The thrashing meant nothing
compared to what I have done to mum and dad. Nothing like it will
ever happen again."

The father of Dean Stuart White, the other boy who was ordered
a thrashing, told Truth that, as long as justice was applied
consistently and the two boys were not just "guinea
pigs," he favoured parents administering punishment and the
names being released.

"Dean's mother and myself can stand it now
because we are sure the punishment has made a lasting impression
on our boy," he said.

"Dean told me: 'I am still quite sore.'"

Damage

[...]

A heavy sheath knife was produced in court by police as the
one the youths had used on the car. Damage was estimated at more
than £70, Mr. Huffa said.

White had gone to Hill's home on December 20 and suggested,
"We'll pull off a job and get some money," Mr. Huffa
told the court.

Hill and White had driven to Gawler in the car. On the way the
pair slashed the car seats and ripped off fittings.

[...]

Mr. Newman S.M. then said: "Something must be done to
stop these boys. Their actions were disgraceful and most
reprehensible.

"There have always been bad boys, but this generation
seems to be over the fence altogether.

"I feel these boys have to learn they've got it coming to
them. They're old enough to realise they shouldn't have done what
they did here.

"I have noticed the careless disregard of these youths in
the few days I have been sitting here."

Mr. Newman said he could not see how the interests of
justice could be served by hiding the identities of Hill and
White.

Mr. Newman also made use of powers under the Maintenance Act
when he adjourned the charges against the youths to enable a
close relative to administer "reasonable" punishment in
the presence of a police officer.